The American Ahiskan Turkish Society-Dayton (AATS-Dayton) works to create, promote, and preserve the Ahiskan culture while helping the Ahiskan people to well-integrate with the greater American society. Therefore, there were many people who came from different states and Turkey to celebrate the opening of the AATS-Dayton and 2012 annual Ahiskan community meeting.
Among the many notable guests were Fatih Yildiz, Consulate General of Turkey in Chicago; Mayor Gary Leitzell; Habibullah Mursel, president of all Ahiska association in Bursa. The program started with national anthem of two countries. Hasan Iskandar, President of Ahiska-Turkish community, thanked with an endless appreciation for everyone for their support both financially and spiritually. There was a short movie about immigration of Ahiska Turks from their home to the United States.
Mayor of Dayton Gary Leitzell mentioned that there were 400 family residents in the region. Thus, Ahiskan people contribute a lot to Dayton’s economy, social life and education. Mayor Leitzell pointed out that he would also help the new immigrants. On top of that, Fatih Yildiz, Consulate General of Turkey Chicago, indicated that we are here to serve for Ahiska people as Turkish government.
Visitors from Turkey had a great chance to see their relatives in this event after 48 years later. That’s why it was very exciting and very important meeting for the community. President of the TASIYAD Habibullah Mursel pointed out that he would do everything to reach the strong relationship between Ahiskan people. He added that we are responsible to organize annual meeting every year and it’s important to leave for the next generation what was left for us. The AATS-Dayton opening ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
